Window paintings are always such an interesting project, the transparency of the surface and ability to see through, around and behind plays with the idea of space, flat surface imagery and movement between planes. 
For the series of works I created over carnival it was important to me to reference local inspiration and relevance, I didn't just want to paint something generic 'Spring' like. 
Instead I drew from the ideas of celebration and carnivals 75th birthday, as well as pulling from local birds and colours seen locally. 

The Finch, was obviously going to be a pair of finches, the double-barred variety that is spotted frequently in the region. The choosen colour palette was pulled from a bouquet of poppies, which may seem an odd choice in isolation but was actually selected as The Finch Bar filled their tables with poppies over the Spring season. 

The Other Bird, really played with the concepts of deconstructed flowers, celebration and local birds. When visiting the site for inspiration I was instantly attrached to the vibrant pops of colour poking out from the lush greenery of the grounds. With established hedges, shrubs and the towering trees the site felt warm and cosy nestled amongst the nature while being in a built environment. Yet if you took moment to pause you would notice all the neon flowers poking through, some maybe tiny but they felt as if a sprinkling of glitter amongst the space. I was instantly drawn to these inconspicuous objects and dove straight into the most vibrant and neon of colours in my paint box.  Thinking of flowers, confetti and streamers it was a delight to paint. 

What fun is was to design Queen Bunny Bee for the Grand Central Shopping Centre annual float for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade of 2024. I was thrilled when they asked me to do the job, it's such a happy space for my creativity to reimagine a found object.  
I even challenged myself with a quick turnaround of making a set of wings with paper mache over a weekend - hot tip it was a lot more involved than I thought but oh so worth it. 

I've never held one of these before, it's similiar yet so different to an exhibition. It's also nice seeing everything you have made over the last few years either for your practice, experimentation or work sitting side by side. It's like a collision of worlds that happen to be very compartmentalised in my mind. 

It's also wild to think that there is over 60 pieces in this collection of mostly acrylic on canvas with a sprinkling of works on paper. 

Each piece is it's own, even those I've created for workshops, no two pieces are the same that's for sure. And finding them walls to hang and be loved on feels like such an honour, they deserve to be seen and not stacked in piles and stored on shelves...as they currently are. 

The affordable collection sale will be hosted at Tinker City 76 Russell Street Toowoomba, Friday 18th October 5:30-7:30PM. All are most definitely welcome, see you there!